Classroom Management Styles

Classroom management styles, like various parenting techniques, play an equally essential part in molding a child’s personality and mental health. The kind of approach employed by teachers in the classroom has a significant impact on the efficacy and quality of learning. There are four primary management techniques that educators employ all around the world. Before we get into the various classroom management styles, it’s vital to understand why these management styles are important.

Baumrind introduced classroom management styles in 1971, based on the amount of control imposed by the instructor and the level of student engagement in the class activities.

Importance of classroom management styles

1. Effective classroom management ensures proper learning: It is generally difficult to maintain discipline in a classroom full of children. This is when the teacher/educator must employ an effective management strategy to guarantee that the students are not distracted from the learning process. Although minor disruptions and troubles in the classroom have little or no impact on children’s overall development, they do have an impact on their learning.
   
2. Fosters a healthy and safe learning environment: Classroom management is focused not just on successful learning but also on the individual development of students. Students, according to psychology, learn more easily in a familiar, safe, and joyful atmosphere. Teachers may foster such an environment by integrating students in various activities, interacting pleasantly, and holding open discussions about various issues.
   
3. Stabilizes the situation when things go awry: If an activity does not go as planned, things are likely to become chaotic, which will kill the students’ concentration. Classroom management techniques guarantee that students are not distracted in such situations and that they continue to study and progress in some way. Teachers might give certain activities to students to keep them occupied while the situation is being resolved.
   
4. Less stressful for instructors: Simply educating a group of kids without proper management can eventually drain the teachers’ energy, severely impacting the learning process. It is quite easy for instructors to manage and educate at the same time when they use suitable classroom management methods. This will improve learning and provide a positive learning atmosphere.

The four classroom management styles can help teachers manage their classes while maintaining excellent learning and healthy growth of their students.

Authoritarian style

The teacher exercises strong control over the students in an authoritarian management style. The teacher discourages active and open conversations and prefers a more rigorous approach to teaching. Students frequently consider these professors to be harsh and punitive. There is minimal interaction between the teacher and the students. Teachers that use this management approach concentrate primarily on teaching and maintaining student discipline. Inappropriate behavior that violates classroom etiquette is not allowed and often results in harsh punishment.

Students who are taught in an authoritarian manner are more responsible and disciplined, but they lack certain communication skills and are not socially active.

Authoritative style

In the authoritative style of classroom management, the teacher maintains firm control while still encouraging student participation. Rules and regulations are tightly enforced, and improper behavior is penalized. The teacher, on the other hand, also encourages pupils to participate in active and open conversations. There is good teacher-student interaction. The teacher is in charge of the students’ growth and mental health under this style of management. 

Students who are taught in an authoritative manner tend to be more disciplined and responsible. They also have excellent communication skills and understand how to deal with a variety of circumstances.

Permissive style

The teacher has practically little influence over the students under a permissive classroom management approach. This method likewise has a low level of student participation. As a consequence, students take over the class while the teacher does nothing to maintain discipline. Students are allowed to engage in any activity they choose, resulting in a lack of discipline. Teachers are typically unconcerned about the success and growth of their students. Class preparations, active debates, and continuous learning are absent in this style of management because the teacher feels they are insignificant.

Students who are educated in a permissive manner are not disciplined, lack a sense of responsibility, and frequently struggle to deal with complex problems. They are sluggish and reliant.

Indulgent style

In the indulgent style of classroom management, the teacher encourages student participation but has little control over the class. Students are encouraged to participate actively in debates and to offer their points of view and thoughts. The teacher does not exert control over the students throughout the class, and they are typically not reprimanded for improper behavior because the teacher is quite friendly. This managerial style is frequently characterized by a lack of discipline. The teacher is more interested in the students’ development and self-improvement than in retaining authority over them. Every student’s viewpoint is valued by the teacher, and they are free to make their own choices.

Students that are taught in an indulgent manner are prone to being undisciplined, immature, and sluggish. They are generally adamant and difficult to convince.

Conclusion

Teachers can utilize any of the aforementioned methods, or a mix of the four ways, to manage their classes. Teachers can use these approaches appropriately depending on the circumstances and in the best interests of their students. With advancements in the field of psychology, such methods and theories are constantly being developed by psychologists to guide parents, teachers, and all those who play an important role in the development of children, so that they can use the best methods and tactics to ensure the children’s healthy development both physically and psychologically. 

Teachers must completely understand the different kinds of classroom management to maximize success in the learning process and individual student growth.